Mbithi Masya is a Kenyan filmmaker, writer, artist, commercial director and cultural strategist. He is best known for directing Kati Kati, an award-winning feature film that brought him international attention. His work spans feature films, short films, music videos, advertising and visual art.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Mbithi Masya |
| Date of birth | 13 December 1985 |
| Place of birth | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Region of origin | Kenya; his specific ancestral county has not been publicly confirmed |
| Partner | Publicly linked to Kenyan singer-songwriter Mayonde |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Filmmaker, director, writer, artist, commercial director and cultural strategist |
| Estimated net worth | Approximately US$500,000–US$1 million |
Early Life and Education
Mbithi Masya was born in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1985. He has kept much of his family background and childhood away from the public, so limited verified information is available about his parents and early upbringing.
He became involved in Kenya’s creative scene through Just A Band, an experimental collective known for its work in music, animation, digital art and video production. This experience helped him develop a strong interest in visual storytelling.
Career
Mbithi Masya began his creative career as a member of Just A Band, where he explored music, visual art, video installations and digital storytelling. The experience helped shape the distinctive visual style he later brought to film and advertising.
He later became a commercial director, creating advertisements and music videos for brands such as Equity Bank, Barclays and Coca-Cola. His advertising work has taken him across several African countries and established him as an experienced visual storyteller.
Masya made his feature-film debut with Kati Kati in 2016. Produced by German filmmaker Tom Tykwer, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won the FIPRESCI Prize.
In 2022, he directed and wrote Baba, a short film about a young boy with the ability to teleport. He is also a co-founder and artistic director of the NBO Film Festival, an initiative that promotes Kenyan cinema and supports filmmakers.
Personal Life
Mbithi Masya is married to Kenyan singer and songwriter Mayonde, whose birth name is Diana Nduba. The couple reportedly got engaged in 2012 and married the following year.
They welcomed their first child after announcing Mayonde’s pregnancy in late 2023. The couple has largely kept details about their family life private.
Beyond their marriage, Mbithi and Mayonde also share a creative connection. Mayonde’s song “Find Us a Way” served as an emotional inspiration for Mbithi’s acclaimed film Kati Kati, bringing their personal and artistic lives together.
Net Worth
Mbithi Masya’s estimated net worth is between US$500,000 and US$1 million, based on his work as an international filmmaker, commercial director, writer and creative strategist,
Filmography
| Year | Title or project | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Kati Kati | Director |
| 2018 | Safaricom M-Pesa: MaishaNiMpesaTu | Director |
| 2022 | Baba | Director and writer |
| Various years | Music videos, including work connected to Kenyan artists | Director |
| Various years | Commercial campaigns for Equity Bank, Barclays, Coca-Cola and other brands | Commercial director |
| Various years | Just A Band visual installations and multimedia projects | Artist and visual collaborator |
Awards and Nominations
Awards
- FIPRESCI Prize, Discovery Programme — Toronto International Film Festival, 2016: Won by Kati Kati.
- Emerging Filmmaker Award — Minneapolis Saint Paul International Film Festival, 2017: Awarded to Kati Kati.
- Special Mention, New Voices/New Visions — Palm Springs International Film Festival, 2017: Received by Kati Kati.
- Film Prize — CinemAfrica Film Festival, Stockholm, 2017: Won by Kati Kati.
- Best East African Film — Africa Movie Viewers Choice Awards, 2017: Awarded to Kati Kati.
- Best Director — Kalasha Film and TV Awards, 2017: Won by Mbithi Masya for Kati Kati.
- Baobab Prize for Best Short Film — Film Africa, London: Won by Baba.
Nominations and Other Recognition
- Kati Kati was nominated in the Discovery category at the Toronto International Film Festival.
- The film received recognition in the New Voices/New Visions programme at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
- Kati Kati competed in the New Directors Competition at the Seattle International Film Festival.
- Mbithi Masya received nominations at the Kalasha Film and TV Awards for his work on Kati Kati.
- Baba was selected for the Short Cuts programme at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
- Baba was later screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
- Kati Kati was selected as Kenya’s submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards, although it did not receive an Oscar nomination.
